Jewelry Website Designers (JWD), a leading designer of websites for the jewelry industry, has announced the launch of a completely new website (www.jewelrywebsitedesigners.com) for 2016 that includes more intuitive navigation, and a line up of valuable add-on services enabling independent jewelers to completely customize their new sites.
The US-based women-owned business has been serving the jewelry industry for years, all the while building a loyal following of retailers, designers, wholesalers, etc. JWD reports many of their clients came to them after facing disappointment from other developers who were off-shore and not available in their time zone, not native-English speaking, or simply did not understand the nuances that jewelers require to promote their business effectively.
Content Management: How it Works
We asked Marlene Murphy, the tech-whiz behind JWD, what worries jewelry merchants the most when faced with designing a new online solution for their niche. “Independent jewelers with minimal computer knowledge are concerned about the time and skills required to maintain an online inventory or using a Content Management System (CMS),” Murphy points out. “What they don’t realize is that if they already have an inventory management system within their business, like the The Edge or something similar, they can easily integrate that system with their online product catalog. That means they can refresh their online inventory daily, even hourly so that the items offered online reflect what they have in stock. Their website published prices will always agree with their in-store inventory.”
But, what about those who don’t have an inventory management system at present? “If they just have an Excel spreadsheet of their finished goods or loose diamonds, such data can be bulk uploaded. So if they keep their own spreadsheets current – deleting sold items and adding new – we can set up an efficient system for them to update the online web catalog with a click of a button,” Murphy says.
Every Picture Sells a Product
Pictures are critical to selling your goods. Not just any quick snap, but good images that place your visitor virtually in front of the products you offer. Never underestimate the power of a professionally retouched image to sell your items, Murphy reminds. “Professional photos can be obtained from many of your vendors,” she tells us. “Vendors may provide a spreadsheet of their pieces with photos to match; all of which can be bulk uploaded efficiently.”
Only at a Boutique Developer
As a boutique developer, JWD maintains ongoing communication with clients during and after the development phase. This ultra-personalized experience sets JWD apart. But that’s exactly what a merchant needs, so that his/her vision is implemented and they are satisfied with the results prior to launch. “Certain advantages that clients enjoy with JWD are the custom shopping cart system built to the client’s unique requirements. Pre-built shopping carts were not designed for the unique requirements of the jewelry trade; metal options, ring size, gemstone variations and differing diamond weights. Each factor impacts the price of an item. Our custom shopping carts accommodate every variable our clients need to sell that piece.”
Get to Know SEO
SEO is a word that is bantered about. In general most clients know that Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is conducted to positively impact the ranking of one’s site. Rank equals visitors, and ultimately that equals more business. “JWD engages in thorough analyses of words and phrases that will best serve our client. In the back-end coding, and the front-end visible content that visitors see, every word and phrase, and even its placement on the site is strategically planned for success.” Even after deployment, JWD still assesses its SEO effectiveness for clients. “SEO targeted keywords included in content and follow-up after deployment assure that web pages are indexed by the major search engines and the titles and descriptions are appropriate and unique.”
Let’s Chat
Communication drives the progress of new site construction, Murphy explains. “Prompt response to clients’ requests for changes and updates keep the pace moving along toward a successful and efficient site launch. If a client has no CMS, and wants their phone number or store hours updated for the holidays, we respond immediately. With us, there is no waiting for developers on the other side of the international dateline. Work requests to us are not delayed by holidays or other cultural close-downs prevalent with off-shore developers. While we understand their reasons for closing often a week at a time, it places undo burdens on clients here who must keep their business moving along.”
What would you say to merchants who are still deciding on where to go for a jewelry website but have yet to take that big step? “We encourage people to shop around and ask lots of questions beforehand, so they understand exactly in what they are investing. We take both a personal interest and personal pride in the success of each website we create. So once a site deploys, we still check frequently and notify clients of key changes to the internet which may affect their site, such as when Flash was discovered to have a security gap requiring all online videos to be converted for continued viewing. And this one is huge. Not long ago Google began penalizing websites which were not ‘mobile friendly.’ We don’t expect our clients to be able to keep up with all these changes, but we do.”
Visit www.jewelrywebsitedesigners.com to learn more about the personalized experience at Jewelry Website Designers – all with the jewelry professional in mind.
